Can Divya Deshmukh Upset World No. 2 Zhu Jiner in FIDE Women’s World Cup?
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Synopsis
Divya Deshmukh's stunning upset over world No. 2 Zhu Jiner marks a pivotal moment in the FIDE Women’s World Cup. With a draw in the upcoming game, she could become only the second Indian woman to reach the quarterfinals. Will she continue her journey? The competition is heating up!
Key Takeaways
- Divya Deshmukh defeats world No. 2 Zhu Jiner.
- Divya is now one draw away from the quarterfinals.
- Other Indian players ended their matches in draws.
- The tournament is a pathway to the 2026 FIDE Women’s Candidates Tournament.
Batumi (Georgia), July 16 (NationPress) In a stunning turn of events at the FIDE Women’s World Cup, Divya Deshmukh from India achieved a remarkable upset by defeating world No. 2 Zhu Jiner in the opening game of their pre-quarterfinal matchup on Wednesday.
The 18-year-old, armed with the white pieces, exhibited a mix of strategic brilliance and remarkable poise against the Chinese prodigy, who is ranked second in the tournament and is considered a leading contender for the title. Throughout the game, Divya steadily enhanced her position, maintained pressure during the middlegame, and seized on Zhu’s errors to secure a significant victory.
With a 1-0 advantage in the two-game match, Divya is now just a draw away from advancing to the quarterfinals—an accomplishment that would make her only the second Indian woman to reach this milestone in the Women’s World Cup, following Harika Dronavalli in 2023.
On the other hand, the remaining three Indian competitors in the pre-quarterfinals—R. Vaishali, Koneru Humpy, and Harika Dronavalli—ended their Game 1 matches in draws. Vaishali, also playing with white, engaged in a fierce battle against Kazakhstan’s Meruert Kamalidenova, resulting in no clear winner. Humpy and Harika, both seasoned players and former World Championship semifinalists, performed admirably in defense, managing to hold their positions against Switzerland’s Alexandra Kosteniuk and Russia’s Kateryna Lagno, respectively.
The FIDE Women’s World Cup is renowned as one of the most prestigious tournaments in the chess world, and this year's edition is particularly significant. The top three finishers will earn spots in the 2026 FIDE Women’s Candidates Tournament, a crucial step toward competing for the Women’s World Championship title.
All four Indian players are set to return to the board for Game 2 of their matches on Thursday.
Point of View
It is essential to celebrate the remarkable achievements of our players. Divya Deshmukh's victory over Zhu Jiner showcases not only her talent but also the growing strength of Indian women in chess. This tournament is a platform for inspiration, and we stand by our athletes as they strive for greatness.
NationPress
16/07/2025
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Divya Deshmukh?
Divya Deshmukh is an 18-year-old Indian chess player who has made headlines by defeating world No. 2 Zhu Jiner at the FIDE Women’s World Cup.
What is the significance of the FIDE Women’s World Cup?
The FIDE Women’s World Cup is a prestigious chess tournament that determines qualification for the Women's Candidates Tournament, which is the next step toward the Women's World Championship.
What do the Indian players need to do to advance?
To advance, Divya Deshmukh needs just a draw in her next game, while the other Indian players will look to secure wins in their matches.
